Authorities tackle 30,000 violations on water resources since 2013

AMMAN — As the national crackdown on violations on water resources and networks enters its fourth year, authorities on 6 May 2017 announced that over 30,000 violations on water mains and resources have been prevented.

The campaign, started by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation in the summer of 2013, has seen the retrieval of millions of cubic metres of stolen water and the prevention of the drilling of illegal wells, a source at the ministry said.

"Since over 17 teams started continuous checks on water resources and networks across the country, we have sealed 890 illegal wells, as well as seizing and confiscating 51 drilling rigs which were being used for illegal activities," the official source, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Jordan Times.

The ministry banned the drilling of wells in 1997 to curb random pumping of water and preserve aquifers from depletion and salinity. Its estimates indicate there are 1,100-1,200 illegal wells still operating across the country.

In April alone, the ministry sealed nine illegal wells in coordination with security forces, the official noted.